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PORTLAND, Ore. – In a letter submitted
yesterday to Governor Kulongoski, Bradwood Landing provided
responses to comments submitted by the state regarding
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s draft Environmental
Impact Report (dEIS) on its proposed liquefied natural
gas (LNG) terminal. While the company’s formal
response to Oregon agencies’ comments will be submitted
to FERC so that it is part of the official record, Bradwood
provided the state with a detailed progress report for
the issues identified in the Governor’s Dec. 13, 2007
memo to FERC.
“I appreciate the State of Oregon's analysis of the draft
Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Bradwood Landing LNG import
terminal,” said NorthernStar Natural
Gas CEO William “Si” Garrett. “Such a complex proposal requires
a thorough examination of the record to ensure that the public's interest
has been served.”
In its letter, Bradwood noted that FERC's dEIS was based on information
dated several months prior to its publication. Although new information was
provided by Bradwood, the overwhelming majority of issues identified by the
state had already been addressed prior to the state’s comments. Bradwood
Landing has continued to submit significant additional information to state
and federal agencies since the dEIS was drafted in the summer of 2007.
Because state agency comments to the dEIS explicitly did not consider
information beyond what was contained in the dEIS document itself, Bradwood
developed a direct reference to the underlying source data to facilitate Oregon
agencies' review of supporting information.
The public record on the Bradwood terminal is extensive, encompassing
thousands of pages of testimony, expert technical reports and public comment.
All of this information is produced as part of a well-defined process that
allows for input and review by all parties. The documents continue to be updated
and are a snapshot in time; however, they serve as a ready reference for those
agencies that need this information now.
“We prepared a comprehensive reply to address each comment,” said
Garrett. “Where
necessary we have provided new information, provided copies of previously
submitted data that wasn’t considered by the state, and corrected certain
assumptions in the original document.”
“The facts are clear: the Northwest needs additional supplies
of natural gas,” said Garrett. “The Bradwood Landing project is in
a position to help meet that need while actually enhancing the environment,
providing jobs and revenue to Oregon, enhancing public safety, and setting
a new high standard for industrial development.”
Highlights of the responses provided by NSNG are below. The full
response document is
attached.
There is a clear need for additional supplies of natural gas in
the Northwest.
Within the past two years, nine independent studies have examined North American
and Pacific Northwest natural gas markets. They have all come to the same
conclusions: the Northwest’s traditional supplies of natural gas are declining.
Detailed geotechnical evaluations of the site were conducted.
NSNG has conducted considerable geotechnical reports that have shown the Bradwood
site suitable. This information was summarized in the dEIS and the Oregon
agency comments were addressed.
Dredging will have minimal environmental impact.
The area needed to dredge for the ship turning basin at Bradwood would occur
in deep water (greater than 20 feet). Deep water is generally not utilized
by salmonids, particularly juvenile salmonids that tend to stay in the
upper water column.
NSNG is paying for all safety and security upgrades and will not
burden local emergency
responder agencies.
NSNG has circulated an Emergency Response Plan to effected agencies and is
in the process of finalizing resources that will be made available to local
emergency responder agencies and will pay for all safety and security upgrades
(totaling approx. $160 million) associated with its project.
NSNG has submitted a decommissioning plan.
A decommissioning plan was submitted to Clatsop County and the Oregon Department
of Energy in the fall of 2007. This information is outside the scope of
the dEIS.
About Bradwood Landing™ LLC
Bradwood Landing believes that natural gas continues to
be the best energy source for the Pacific Northwest. The
company will deliver new sources of natural gas to this
region creating new jobs and millions of dollars in local
investment in surrounding communities. When completed,
Bradwood Landing will provide an estimated 65 jobs averaging
$60,000 a year and spend more than $30 million annually
throughout the region to operate and maintain the facility.
The facility will also increase the local tax-base by
more than $7.8 million annually, creating a valuable source
of income for improvements in essential services and education
throughout the region. Bradwood Landing’s financial commitment includes
unprecedented levels of investment in the local environment.
Beyond our deep financial commitments, Bradwood Landing
is driven by our promise to make life better wherever
we live and work. We want more than a presence our communities;
we want to create a positive and lasting legacy that generates
community pride. For more information about Bradwood Landing LLC, please
visit:click here.
About NorthernStar Natural Gas Inc.
At NorthernStar Natural Gas, we create innovative solutions that bring clean, safe, affordable natural gas to meet
America's energy needs. Led by a dynamic executive team with deep industry experience, NorthernStar Natural Gas
is a U.S.-owned and operated company that is currently developing liquefied natural gas terminals across the
country. We combine our business aspirations with a bold commitment to improve the communities where we live
and work by generating new jobs and economic opportunities, supporting better education for our children and
leaving a lasting legacy of environmental excellence in all that we undertake. NorthernStar Natural Gas is the
Nation's Clean, Safe Energy SolutionT. For more information about NorthernStar Natural Gas Inc., please visit: www.northernstar-ng.com
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